Sitting first in the Western Conference and already with a playoff berth in their pocket, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Calgary Flames look past their next opponent.

Up next for the Flames are the Ottawa Senators, the NHL's last-place squad, for a Thursday night clash in the Stampede City. And the Senators are coming off a 7-4 road loss Wednesday night to the Vancouver Canucks, while Calgary had the night off.

However, the Flames (45-21-7, 97 points) are well aware the importance of their game with Ottawa isn't so much about the opposition as it is for them to start cranking up their play for what's coming in a few weeks: the Stanley Cup playoffs.